Chair construction



Sept. 16, 1941. B. ADLER CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 24, 1939 I INVENTOR. I 25/272 5. Holler:

' ATTORNE Patented Sept. 16, 1941 CHAIR CONSTRUCTION John B. Adler, Muncie, Ind., assignor to Shwayder Bros. Inc., Denver, 0010.,

Colorado a corporation of Application November 24, 1939, Serial No. 305,759%

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a chair construction adapted primarily for use on chairs of the folding type which may be swung into unfolded or operative position and swung into folded or inoperative position so that they may be compactly arranged for storage and the like.

In this type of chair construction, there is usually provided a pair of front legs which are spaced apart and a pair of rear legs each of which is pivotally connected at its upper end to a corresponding front leg. As these legs are swung apart at their lower ends it is desirable that the spreading apart of the legs be limited and to this end I have provided a structure which serves as a means for attaching the rear legs at their upper ends pivotally to the front legs and which also serves as an abutment or stop for limiting the swinging movement of the legs to separated relation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an abutment of this class which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable and compact.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a structure of this type embodying a sleeve for attachment to the upper ends of the legs and having outwardly projecting lugs for embracing the corresponding legs and serving as a means of pivotal connection thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chair construction having a pair of front legs with a seat-forming member pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the front legs intermediate their ends and provided with attachment means connecting the same to the rear legs so that the seat member may be swung upwardly to inoperative position to afford clearance in front of the seat without disturbing the unfolded position of the chair while, at the same time, limiting the upward swinging of the seat.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an abutment member for engaging the end of the seat when swung upwardly into inoperative position and relieving the pivot pin associated therewith of undue strain.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a toggle connection for connecting a swingable seat to the rear legs of a foldable chair in such a manner that the swinging of the seat It is recognized that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof and it is the intention that such changes and modifications may be embraced in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention showing the chair in unfolded position,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention showing the chair in folded position,

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of the invention showing the chair in folded position,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View with parts broken away illustrating the seat rocked to inoperative or clearing position,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the seat further rocked and illustrating the movement of the legs into approach,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the legs rocked into folded position,

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 'I-'! of Fig. l,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View slightly enlarged taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 1, and,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 3.

. As shown in the drawing, the chair comprises a pair of front legs 2| and 22 which are preferably formed from a single piece of metal which is bent U-shaped to provide the bight 23. On the upper end of the U-shaped structure is mounted a back rest 24. These legs 2| and 22 are connected together by the cross rods 25 and 26, the cross rod 26 serving as a pivot for the seat 27. which is provided, at its opposite ends, with angle irons 28 and 29 through which the rod 26 projects, suitable spacers 30 and 3| being used to retain the seat spaced from the inner faces of the legs 2| and 22. A pair of rear legs 32 and 33 is provided. Attached to the upper end of each of these legs is a sleeve 34 having the spaced lugs 35 projecting outwardly therefrom which serve to embrace the corresponding front legs 2! or 22. A pivot. pin 36 is projected through the lugs 35 so that the rear legs are pivotally connected at their upper may be resisted while the legs are held immovable and the swinging of the seat may be utilized for swinging the legs into folded or compact position when the legs are free for relative movement.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

'and serve as an abutment or stop for preventing further movement of the legs. These rear legs 32 and 33 are connected together by cross rods 38 rests only on the front legs.

and 39. When the seat is swung to operative I position, as shown in Fig. 1, the rear end of the seat structure will engage against the under surface of the rod 39 which serves as a stop for preventing further dwownward swinging of the u seat 21.

Pivotally connected at one end by means of the pin All to each of the legs 32 and 33 is a toggle link 4 I, the other end of which is pivotally connected by the pin 42 to the toggle link 43 which is pivotally connected by the pin M to the end of the side rail or angle iron 23 or 29 as the case may be. The end of the link 43 is angularly turned to provide the abutment lug lfi;

When the seat is swung into the position shown in Fig. 1, the link 43 will engage a stud 46 projecting outwardly from the side of the seat angle iron 28 or 29 as the case may be and this link will engage this stud 46 substantially simul taneously with the engagement of the angle irons ZBand 29 with therod-39 so that a downward, rocking of the seat is thus resisted by the rod 39 and by the studs 46.

When the chair is 'in its unfolded position, the

' bent position shown in Fig. 1, to the straightened out position shown in Fig. 4 but the pivot 42 will not as yet have reached center and so long as the front and rear legs remain immovable, the toggle connection will prevent further upward swinging of the seat. This is due to the fact that the are on which'the pin M swings would be positioned inwardly of'the are determined by. the

straightened-out toggle swinging on the pivot From the position shown in'Fig. 4, the seatZt may be swung further upwardly when the legs are permitted to approach each other and this is usually effected by tilting the chair so that it movement is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 so that When'the seatv is extended vertically, it lies. in alignment with the front legs and between them while'therear legs are in substantial engage.- ment with the front legs and a compact structure is thus provided.

What I claim as new is:

1. A foldable chair construction of the class described, comprising: a pair of spaced-apart front legs; a pair of spaced-apart rear legs;

This swinging means for pivotally connecting each of said rear 7 legs to a corresponding front leg, adjacent the upper-"end thereof; a seat member pivotally mounted between said front legs, intermediate the ends thereof; means carried by said rear legs for engaging said seat member and limiting swingable movement thereof in one direction; a-.

toggle connecting each of said rearlegs to said seat member; and means engageable by said toggle for'limiting swingable movement of said seat member in said direction beyond a predete'rr mineddistance. r I a i a I 2. In a chair construction of the class described, a pair of front legs; a pair of rear legs mediate movable into spaced relation to said front legs; a seat member pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, between said front legs, intermediate their ends; a toggle for connecting each of said rear legs to the rear edge of said seat member;

and means carried by said seat member engageable with said toggle upon swinging of said seat member in one direction a predetermined distance.

3. In a chair construction of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart-front legs; a pair ofspaced-apart rear legs; means for pivotally connecting said rear legs, adjacent their upper ends to said front legs; a seat member pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, between said front legs, intermediate their ends; a toggle connecting each of said rear legs to the rear portion of said seat member and effective for limiting the swinging of said seat member in one direction-beyond a predetermined distance.

d. In a chair construction of the class described-,a pair o-fs-paced-apart front legs; a pair of'spaced-apart rear legs; means for pivotally connecting each of said rear legS adjacent its upper end, to a corresponding front leg, interits ends; a seat member pivotally mounted between said front legs, intermediate their ends, and swingable to operative and inoperative position; a toggle for connecting the rear portion of said seat member to each of said rear legs and limiting the swinging of said seat member to inoperative positionbeyond a predetermined distance. V 5, Ina chair construction'of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart front legs; a pair of spaced-apart rear legs; means for pivotally connecting each of said rear legs, adjacent its upper end, to a corresponding front leg, intermediate its ends; a seat member pivotally mounted between said front legs, intermediate their ends, and swingable to operative and inoperative position; a toggle for connecting the rear portion of said seat member to each of said rear legs and limiting the swinging of said seat member to inoperative positionbeyond a predetermined distance; and means engageable with said seat. member for limiting swinging movement of the same to operative position beyond a predetermined distance.

6. In a chair construction of the class described, a pair of spaced-apart front-legs; a pair of spaced-apart rear legs; means for pivotally connecting each of said rear legs, adjacent its upper end, to a. corresponding front leg,. intermediate its ends; a seat member pivotally mounted between said front legs, intermediate their ends, and swingable to operative and inoperative position; 'a' toggle for connecting the rear portion ofsaid seat member to each of said limiting'swinging movement. of said seat member to operative position beyond said predetermined distance.

JOHN B. ADLER.. 

